Citizen Honors a Groundbreaking Retro Dive Watch with a Faithful Reissue

The Japanese watch brand originally launched this innovative timepiece in 1985. Now, after 40 years, it’s back for a special release.

Citizen Promaster Aqualand 40th Anniversary Limited Edition Dive Watch closeup

By Sean Tirman

Published 11 hours ago

·

Every product is carefully selected by our editors. If you buy from a link, we may earn a commission. Learn more

In 1985, Citizen launched a groundbreaking dive watch, the first-ever with an electronic depth meter. When submerged, the watch automatically indicated, via its digital display, how deep underwater the wearer had traveled.

Now, 40 years later, the beloved affordable Japanese watch brand has returned to that very timepiece. The Citizen Promaster Aqualand 40th Anniversary Limited Edition dive watch is a mostly faithful recreation of that watch, albeit with a few modernized tweaks.

Citizen Promaster Aqualand 40th Anniversary Limited Edition Dive Watch with scuba gear — As you might guess, the Aqualand is most at home under the sea. That said, you can wear it wherever you please.

Life is the bubbles, under the sea

While there’s a lot about the Aqualand that most would probably consider standard fare in a diver, its chief innovation is significant enough to set it apart. It can be found in two parts: the digital display on the dial and the mechanism that juts out at the 9 o’clock position.

Let’s start with the latter. That device is actually an automatic pressure gauge. When the watch is submerged, it kicks into action, detecting water pressure exerted on the device.

This redux of the Aqualand retains its iconic color scheme and whopping 14.8mm thickness.

Citizen

It then translates that applied pressure to depth — the higher the pressure, the deeper the dive. It then translates that data into meters (down to a tenth of a meter), which can be read on the digital display.

That extends further. In addition to having an active depth meter, it can also remember your recent diving depths, has a rapid ascent alarm (so you don’t end up with nitrogen narcosis) and more.

Not only does this feature help set Aqualand apart, but it’s also an incredibly cool piece of retro technology that’s still pretty useful for anyone who enjoys diving. But it’s not all the watch has going for it.

Citizen Promaster Aqualand 40th Anniversary Limited Edition Dive Watch caseback — Apart from the caseback, the anniversary branding is extremely subtle.

What’s lurking beneath the surface

It bears repeating that this watch is still a highly capable ISO-compliant diver even without the automatic depth sensor. It’s also very stylish, marked by a 43.5mm gray stainless steel case, black dial and bezel (and matching “Biomass-based polyurethane” strap), and gold detailing—a throwback combo that harkens to the original.

Of course, that rotating bezel is a useful dive timer on its own. It also has an offset crown at the 4 o’clock position with some added protection. Plus, the whole thing is good for depths of up to 200 meters.

Finally, the watch’s movement: Under the hood, the Aqualand has an ultra-accurate C520 quartz movement that boasts accuracy to 15 seconds a month. While not mind-blowing, it’s highly respectable, especially considering the watch’s low price.

Citizen Promaster Aqualand 40th Anniversary Limited Edition Dive Watch on wrist — See that big thing jutting out at the 9 o’clock position? That’s how the watch can tell how deep underwater you are.

Available now

The Citizen Promaster Aqualand 40th Anniversary Limited Edition dive watch will be available on the brand’s site in July 2025 for $595. However, it’s a limited edition, so only 5,800 will be produced, and it’s unlikely they’ll be back once they’re gone.